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A Bridge Can Be Used to Replace a Missing Tooth

Posted October 13, 2016.

Having a tooth knocked out, extracted or lost due to untreated tooth decay can have a serious negative impact on your oral health. Beyond limiting your ability to chew food efficiently, it can also slur your speech and mar your physical appearance.

If the tooth is not replaced in a timely manner, the surrounding teeth can start to twist and migrate toward the void left in your mouth. To address all of these issues, Dr. Barry LeJeune might recommend having the lost tooth replaced by installing a dental bridge.

A dental bridge in Hampton, Virginia, is basically an artificial tooth that mimics the appearance of a natural tooth. It is fused into a single piece of dental work with a hollow crown at each end. It will eventually anchor onto abutments that are formed out of the core of the two closest teeth.

Dr. Barry LeJeune will form the two abutments by removing the tooth enamel from each tooth. The abutment will contain the dentin layer, the healthy pulp and the root of the tooth.

Your dentist will then form a detailed impression of the two abutments and the corresponding teeth. This will be sent to the dental lab where your permanent bridge will be custom crafted. Then, he will secure a hard, plastic, temporary crown over each abutment to protect it while the dental lab technician does their work.

When the bridge is ready, Dr. Barry LeJeune will call you in for a short follow-up appointment. The temporary crowns will be removed and the new bridge will be cemented into place during this appointment.

If you have recently lost a tooth, you should call LeJeune Family Dentistry at (757) 827-9114 to see if you can have it restored by a bridge.